NPR reports on a new study describing the “Mischievous Responders” who significantly skew scientific surveys by composing works of fiction. They say they’re seven feet tall or have three kids. They love inventing artificial limbs. Ninety-nine percent of the 253 teens who said they had fake limbs on one survey had real limbs and mischievous brains.

So what have we really learned from all those studies? Figures lie and liars figure and teens are just laughing all the way home. Suckers! they think, kicking their youthful heels into the air and wondering about whether anyone appreciates the subversive comedy of their fibs.